Patriots Taking Control in AFC East

If the Dolphins had been able to march into Foxborough Sunday and find a way to beat the vaunted New England Patriots Sunday, the AFC East would have been quite the muddled division. Even the Buffalo Bills would have been within striking distance, while the Jets and Dolphins would have trailed the Pats by a single game with eight to play.

After a Ronnie Brown touchdown pass -- which was surely a flashback to last year's Wildcat-fest in New England -- the Patriots found themselves facing a 17-16 deficit with 4:51 left in the third quarter, and the Dolphins appeared on the verge of the critical road upset.

But Tom Brady, Randy Moss and company weren't having that.

On a pivotal third-and-1, Brady hit Moss in stride and the star wideout did the rest -- 71 yards later, the Patriots had a lead. The defense then took the cue and didn't allow another point.

On the day, Brady and Moss filled up the stat sheet. Brady completed 25 of 37 passes for 332 yards and a touchdown. Moss hauled in six of those passes, good for 147 yards and a score. Wes Welker was his catch-machine self, grabbing nine passes for 84 yards. The defense did their job as well. Last season, the Dolphins marched into New England with their wildcat and ran wild on the Pats. This time around, the 31 carries for 133 yards was serviceable, but not near enough to steal another victory.

Thus, New England now sports a two-game lead over the Jets -- and they'll get a crack at them in the confines of Foxborough two weeks from now. In the meantime, they head to Indianapolis for a battle of the titans next week.

That's right: Patriots vs. Colts in Indy next week. The last time Brady faced the Colts it was a classic, as the Pats iced the game within the last two minutes -- en route to an undefeated season. This time around, the Colts are undefeated (8-0) and have won 17 consecutive regular season games. Bill Belichick, though he'd never admit it, would love to be the one to stop the streak.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

11-08-2009 @ 6:35PM

Mike said...

Pats are hitting stride and the Colts are vulnerable, needing a missed fg at the end to stay perfect. I'm looking forward to next week's match up which will see the Colts fall to 8-1.

11-08-2009 @ 6:50PM

Yes said...

But, this is to be expected of the patriots a loss to the colts would almost guarantee a wild card. If we win then we (can't stand to say it) give new england a rematch with the steelers.
Go gummy ball

11-08-2009 @ 7:08PM

Tom said...

GO PATS,, How bout them crying/ dolphins/joey porter jerks. I thought the new dolphins of last year were the next coming of crist, just like the new jets of this year. Funny how the same team of Belichek & Brady just continue to win while the others just keep crying an trying.

11-08-2009 @ 8:17PM

Joey Porter should try playing instead of yapping. It's bad enough that he has the articulation of Moms Mabley with a mouthful of gumballs, but his stats after opening up his big trap?

0 sacks...

0 tackles

They Dolphins would have played better with only 10 men on the field.

Porter? STFU.....

11-08-2009 @ 8:25PM

mmcgrade said...

Let me see???
Tom Brady 24 wins 3 losses since Spygate?? Hmm One loss in Sb 42 - 1 in overtime against Denver and 1 against Jets. Think its time to let the Pats go back to using cameras??? I THINK SO!! How many times does someone have to be Knockout before they realize who the boss is?

11-08-2009 @ 8:33PM

sgtmike132 said...

What's Porter's excuse now?

11-09-2009 @ 8:22AM

john said...

The Giant has been woken up, and he's pissed. Peyton, Rex, Porter, everyone better buckle up. The PATS are hunting for bear. PATS win going away, take the points they not only cover they win outright by double digits.

11-09-2009 @ 10:40AM

jmascit said...

I still do not think Brady is that good of a QB. His Offense is too stacked to qualify him as an elite QB. All his records this season are against losing teams. I will only call him great if he can succeed as QB with the Lions, Titans, or Browns. But as of now he is just a regular QB behind a "Great Offense." And oh ya Beli sucks, his consistent excessive scoring against crap teams is not what the sport is about, it is about warriors not massacres.

11-09-2009 @ 1:59PM

Brady is not a good QB, you're an idiot! super bowl wins. 2 more than Peyton. 1 more than Ben, more than Romo and McNabb and Rivers. Yeah you're right. Go back to mama idiot.

11-10-2009 @ 11:36AM

billnbstn said...

JMASCIT, you dont think Brady is that good of a QB.
It that correct, is that what you wrote?
Well it's official, you dope, you are now and forever banished from all comments, blogs and any other form om internet communication.
Let's continue to explore your opinion.
You think Coach Bill sucks, is that what you think?
Now that you have convinced the rest of us that you know nothing about football, we are forced to remove your computer.
Now go to your room....in your Mother's basement.

11-09-2009 @ 11:07AM

astenson said...

How about the one second that the timekeeper in New England gave the Patriots yesterday. That allowed a field goal. Nice one again, I guess once a cheat always a cheat. That clock clearly stopped, and everyone on the television noticed it.

11-09-2009 @ 3:27PM

Matt said...

youre an idiot.. they analyzed the clock and video and the ball was on the ground before the clock even hit 1 second.. shut your mouth stupid

11-09-2009 @ 11:15AM

bobbren1 said...

jm....think before you speak...how long has Brady had these recievers. All SB runs were won with WR no one had ever heard of. They changed all the time. No one was there for a long time.

Don't you remember how the Pat's had unknows including Brady?

Think Manning could tun around the Browns....doubtful.

11-09-2009 @ 6:24PM

th said...

"..think Manning could turn around the browns?"

Idiot.

What was the Colts team like when he got there??

His first year??

His second??

here's an easier one:

What time did your mom pack your lunch & send you to the bus stop this morning??

No memory, no idea of the history you talk smack about, just plain no idea at all.

11-09-2009 @ 10:03PM

What is a long time? I am talking about the Offense not just the WRs. He is a good QB but not a Farve or a Unitas. We all have our opinion. I just don't see the hype.

11-09-2009 @ 10:08PM

I am not just talking about the WR, but the whole Offense. If you knew the game, the QB is protected by the line. Brady is good but not an elite QB. Put him behind Detriots line and he would get nowhere. I just don't see the hype. When has he ever thrown it off balance while withstanding getting tackled? How much pressure has he got compared to other QBs? Oh none. You Pat fans just want to sleep with the pretty boy. Get over it. I just don't see the hype.

11-09-2009 @ 11:31AM

ast....Please...there was one second left. The Pat's won by 10.

How did the Pat's cheat? I heard 2 pass interferences by the Pat's which they never showed after the flag was thrown. I also saw two that were called on the Dolphins and both were replayed...that makes one wonder.
We also saw a ref laugh several times the call went against the Pats.

My point is if you look hard enough it always looks like it is against your team. AND I am not a Miami hater...born there.

11-09-2009 @ 1:21PM

fandol12 said...

You idiot patriots fans Brady is a primadonna and beleCHEAT is an ass I'm a fins fan and I'll even route for the hated jets before the cheating patriots I hope the colts slaughter your ass!!!!!

11-09-2009 @ 2:11PM

Ha Ha so much for your wildCRAP offense. Hey, cheer onthose Jets. Loser fans root for loser teams

11-09-2009 @ 3:29PM

youre stupid too... every team uses "illegal" film... you dont think game film accidently captures footage of play callers? some people are just really dumb

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